Senate District 3 Update

Mar 6, 2021 | Email

March 6, 2021

Friends, 

I hope everyone is staying healthy and safe, and enjoying some of this warmer weather! In this e-newsletter, I’ve included a legislative update on some of the bills I’ve sponsored, as well as updates on the epidemic orders and vaccines.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at 517-373-0990, or email me if you have any questions or need assistance.

Stay safe and be well,


Sylvia Santana
State Senator
District 3

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

I’ve recently introduced two more pieces of legislation:

  • Senate Bill 163: Protects employees from adverse action if they are unable to come into work for any reasons related to COVID-19.
    Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on Economic and Small Business Development
  • Senate Bill 170: Increase the weekly dependent care amount and benefits period for direct care workers. 
    Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on Economic and Small Business Development 

MICHIGANDERS AGE 50+ TO START RECEIVING COVID VACCINE IN MARCH

On Wednesday, March 3, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) officials announced that the state is moving forward with the vaccination of Michiganders aged 50 and older with medical conditions or disabilities, and caregiver family members and guardians who care for children with special health care needs. These individuals can begin receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, March 8.

Beginning Monday, March 22, vaccine eligibility will again expand to include all Michiganders 50 and older. 

Those eligible to receive a vaccine should: 

  • Check the website of the local health department or hospital to find out their process or for registration forms; or
  • Check additional vaccination sites, such as local pharmacies like Meijer, Rite Aid, or Cardinal Health (U.P. residents); or
  • Residents who don’t have access to the internet or who need assistance navigating the vaccine scheduling process can call the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 (press 1), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., or call 2-1-1.

This change follows the announcement by President Joe Biden that ramped-up production will provide enough doses for 300 million Americans by the end May. To date, more than 40% of Michiganders aged 65 and older have been vaccinated.

NEW CHANGES FOR RESTAURANTS, INDOOR GATHERINGS, NURSING HOMES 

On Tuesday, March 2, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) updated two of its epidemic orders, allowing for increased capacity limits at various venues, larger residential and nonresidential gatherings, and expanded visitation opportunities at residential care facilities.

Restaurants, Indoor Gatherings 

Changes to the Gatherings and Mask Order go into effect Friday, March 5, and remain in effect through Monday, April 19. 

Capacity changes include: 

  • Restaurants and bars can be at 50% capacity, up to 100 people. Tables must be six feet apart with no more than six people per table. There is now an 11 p.m. curfew. 
  • Indoor non-residential gatherings where people interact across households are permitted up to 25 people, allowing public meetings and other small indoor gatherings to resume. 
  • Outdoor non-residential gatherings where people interact across households are permitted up to 300, allowing larger outdoor events to resume. 
  • Indoor entertainment venues can be at 50% capacity, up to 300 people. 
  • Exercise facilities can be at 30% capacity, with restrictions on distancing and mask requirements. 
  • Retail can be at 50% capacity. 
  • Casinos can be at 30% capacity. 
  • Indoor stadiums and arenas are allowed have 375 if seating capacity is under 10,000; 750 if seating capacity is over 10,000. 
  • Outdoor entertainment and recreational facilities may host up to 1,000 patrons. 

Indoor residential gatherings are now limited to 15 people from three households, while outdoor residential gatherings can include up to 50 people.

The epidemic order continues to temporarily pause other venues and activities where participants have close physical contact and are not consistently masked, like water parks. As before, employees who work in jobs that cannot be performed from home can continue to go to work, while employees who can work from home should continue to do so. 

Nursing Homes 

With all residents at skilled nursing homes having been offered their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and a vast majority having had their second dose, the new Residential Care Facilities Order goes into effect immediately. The order encourages communal dining and group activities for residents, and allows indoor and outdoor visitation in all counties regardless of county risk level. Visitation is allowed if the facility has not had a new COVID-19 case in the last 14 days and all indoor visitors ages 13 and older are subject to rapid antigen testing. Visitors will be required to wear face masks or other personal protective equipment and maintain six feet from residents. 

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine.

BEWARE OF CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) POISONING IN CHILDREN 

While we may be starting to warm up in Michigan, it’s always important to stay aware of the threat of carbon monoxide (CO). CO poisoning occurs when the chemical builds up in your bloodstream. When you breathe in too much CO, your body replaces the oxygen in your red blood cells with CO, which can lead to serious tissue damage or even death. 

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by burning gasoline, wood, propane, charcoal, or other fuel. Improperly ventilated appliances and engines, particularly in a tightly sealed or enclosed space, may allow CO to accumulate to dangerous levels. 

If you think you or a child in your care may have CO poisoning, seek fresh air immediately and contact emergency medical services. Below, you’ll find more information on what to look for if you’re worried your child has CO poisoning, and what to do to prevent it: 

Symptoms 

  • Dull headache 
  • Weakness 
  • Dizziness 
  • Nausea or vomiting 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Confusion 
  • Blurred vision 
  • Loss of consciousness 

People Especially at Risk 

  • Unborn babies. Fetal blood cells take up CO more readily than adult blood cells do, making unborn babies more susceptible to harm from CO poisoning. 
  • Children. Young children take breaths more frequently than adults do, which may make them more susceptible to CO poisoning. 
  • Older adults. Older people who experience CO poisoning may be more likely to develop brain damage. 
  • People who have chronic heart disease. People with a history of anemia and breathing problems also are more likely to get sick from exposure to CO. 

Tips 

  • DO NOT use portable generators inside your home, garage, carport, basement, or any other enclosed space, such as a covered porch. 
  • DO NOT use charcoal or gas grills or camping stoves inside your home. 
  • DO NOT use your gas oven or stove top to heat your home. 
  • DO use gasoline-powered equipment like generators outside only and at least 20 feet from your home. 
  • DO keep your generator away from doors, windows or air intake vents. 
  • DO keep airflow for furnaces and exhausts clear of snow and ice. 

Carbon monoxide detectors 

  • Install battery-operated or battery back-up CO detectors near every sleeping area in your home. 
  • Check CO detectors regularly to be sure they are functioning properly. 

For more information, visit the CDC’s carbon monoxide website at CDC.gov/CO.

TIPS TO PREPARE FOR SPRING THAW FLOODING AND SEVERE WEATHER 

With warmer temperatures on the way, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) encourages Michiganders to take steps to be prepared for spring storms, flooding, and potential water damage before disaster strikes. 

Before experiencing a loss due to extreme weather or water damage, consumers should: 

  • Review insurance policies to understand their coverage and contact their insurance agent or company to discuss any coverage needs. 
  • Prepare a detailed inventory of personal property with photographs of each room in the home to help complete the claim process, including a list of other valuables and equipment that do not appear in the photos. 
  • Make a list of important telephone numbers including family members, insurance agents, and insurance companies. 
  • Store copies of all insurance policy declaration pages and insurance cards in a safe place, such as a safe deposit box or online in the cloud, in case the originals are destroyed or lost. 

After severe weather or flooding causes damage, consumers should: 

  • Contact their insurance company’s claims hotline and/or agent to report the claim. 
  • If there is water damage, consumers should tell their insurance company that there is water damage, and they are looking to determine what coverage is available. 
  • Take steps to protect the property and prevent further loss. 
  • Document the loss. 

DIFS encourages consumers to first attempt to resolve any claim disputes directly with their insurance company. If a resolution cannot be reached, DIFS will help try to resolve disputes. 

To learn more and file a complaint, visit Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints. Anyone with questions or concerns about their insurance coverage is asked to call the DIFS toll-free hotline 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 877-999-6442.

NEW GRANT PROGRAM PROVIDES $2.5 MILLION FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAM TEACHERS 

On Monday, March 1, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks announced the expansion of the MI Classroom Heroes COVID-19 Grants to include a new grant program for Great Start Readiness Program (GRSP), Head Start, adult education, and young adult (ages 18-26) special education classroom teachers. 

The GRSP, Head Start, Adult Education and Young Adult Special Education Teacher COVID-19 Grant Program enables these specific program teachers to receive up to $500 for extra hours worked and costs incurred during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last spring. 

A state budget appropriation signed by Governor Whitmer at the end of 2020 provides $2.5 million to make specific program teachers eligible to receive a MI Classroom Heroes COVID-19 Grant, who were not eligible under previous programs. 

Eligibility 

Full-time and part-time GRSP, Head Start, adult education and young adult special education teachers in a school district or nonprofit nonpublic school classrooms during the 2019-2020 school year prior to moving to remote learning are eligible. 

To receive up to $500, specific program teachers must have performed at least of 75% of their standard instruction workload in brick-and-mortar classrooms to moving to remote instruction on April 2, 2020. 

How to receive a grant 

The state Treasury Department is working with the Michigan Department of Education, school entities, and other education partners to implement MI Classroom Heroes COVID-19 Grants. Eligible specific program teachers should consult the school entity where they worked during the 2019-2020 school year to ensure they receive a grant. 

Grant-funding checks for the GRSP, Head Start, Adult Education, and Young Adult Special Education Teacher COVID-19 Grant Program are anticipated to be sent directly from the state Treasury Department to teachers in June. 

More information 

For more information about MI Classroom Heroes COVID-19 Grants, visit Michigan.gov/MIClassroomHeroes.

MARCH IS READING MONTH 

On Monday, March 1, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared the month of March as Reading Month in Michigan. Throughout the month, schools, children, and adults alike use this time to promote the importance of reading.

The governor is committed to ensuring students and schools have the resources they need to learn and teach safely. That is why, in January, Gov. Whitmer proposed her MI COVID Recovery Plan that invests $1.7 billion directly to our schools. Her upcoming Fiscal Year 2022 executive budget recommendation also makes the largest investment in K-12 schools in Michigan history. 

A report from MSU and the Education Policy Innovation Collaborative showed that 97% of school districts have met the governor’s goal to get students back to in-person learning by March 1. 

Download your Michigan bookmark 

Download your own Michigan bookmark from my website, color it, and enjoy using it with your favorite book! 

NEW SECRETARY OF STATE ONLINE, SELF-SERVICE OPTIONS COMING SOON 

The Department of State will enable new online services for customers and expand the capability of self-service stations to include driver’s license and state ID transactions this month. 

A massive upgrade of the department’s driver records system is set to begin on March 16, at which time these customer conveniences will begin. Branch appointments, online and self-service station transactions will be unavailable from 5 p.m. Thursday, March 11 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 16 while the system is brought online. 

The project securely combines tens of millions of driver and vehicle records into one integrated customer record system and moves the department from a decades-old legacy system to greatly improved customer service technology. The department’s vehicle records system was modernized in February 2019, and work to upgrade the driver records systems began shortly thereafter. 

In addition to the many services already offered online, new online services at Michigan.gov/SOS will include: 

  • Renew or replace an enhanced driver’s license or state ID, if no new photo required. 
  • View the status of the requested driver’s license or state ID. 
  • Request and obtain a driving record. 
  • Add a motorcycle endorsement to an eligible driver’s license. 
  • Access streamlined business services.

In addition to the vehicle services already offered at self-service stations, new self-service station transactions will include:

  • Renew a standard or enhanced driver’s license or state ID, if no new photo required.
  • Request a replacement and print out a temporary license or ID.
  • Add a motorcycle endorsement to an eligible driver’s license.
  • Sign up on the state’s organ donor registry.

The department has 135 self-service stations, and more planned, in branch offices and other locations statewide, including select Meijer and Kroger grocery stores. Transactions on the machines are currently offered in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Vietnamese. All accept credit cards, and some accept cash. 

In coordination with the new technology launch, the department will also implement the following improvements for customer service: 

  • An electronic lien and title program will begin, making lien and title information available online for lienholders in lieu of a paper certificate of title if their financial institution participates in the program. 
  • The graduated driver licensing process will be simplified to reduce customer visits to branch offices. Student drivers will be issued a photo license hard card for a GDL Level 1 license, instead of a paper license. They won’t need to return to the branch office for their Level 2 or Level 3 licenses and their operator’s license will be mailed to them upon turning 18. 
  • The Dearborn Secretary of State office at 5094 Schaefer Road will be closed from Feb. 22 to Feb. 26 to move to an adjacent suite in the complex that is larger. The new office will open March. 1. Benefits to customers and staff include a new counter design with partitions, a larger lobby, public restrooms, and 24/7 customer access to a self-service station. Area residents with appointments affected by the closure have been notified and rescheduled to other nearby branches. 
  • Four Upper Peninsula branch offices that are in the Central Time Zone (Bessemer, Iron River, Iron Mountain and Menominee) will shift their hours to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST to match the operating hours of the rest of the department’s branch offices, which are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. 

Learn more about Secretary of State services at Michigan.gov/SOS.